Steven Gerrard told me that Liverpool youngster would become a superstar

Steven Gerrard told me that Liverpool youngster would become a superstar

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard gave his former midfield partner Dieter Hamann the tip-off years ago

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Former Liverpool midfielder Dieter Hamann has praised the impact of Curtis Jones on Arne Slot's side and tipped the Academy graduate to become a big player for the Reds. And the German revealed that his former Anfield team-mate Steven Gerrard told him that Jones would go on to achieve big things with the Reds after the Scouser coached Jones during a short spell at manager of Liverpool's under-18s side in in 2017/18.

Hamann was told to keep an eye on Jones when the city centre-born player was in Liverpool's youth sides.

Now 23, Jones dominated in midfield as the Reds beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

Hamann said: "I've been watching Curtis Jones for a number of years now. He must have been in and around the team now for four or five years. I wasn't too sure whether he was capable of being a regular for Liverpool, but he’s proved me completely wrong.

"He's 23 now. When I came into the first team at Bayern, I was 20. in Bayern Munich.

"Physically, I wasn’t ready. I probably needed 12 months to get used to training, the pace of the game, everything. Jones has been excellent and that is also to do with his confidence. He probably didn't feel part of the team before because he was a bit-part player, but now we’ve seen the real Curtis Jones.

Speaking to Genting Casino, Hamann added: "Obviously, Steven Gerrard coached him in the academy. He's been a huge admirer of him, and he said to me years ago to watch this kid because he'll be a superstar.

"Sometimes you've got to give people time, and more often than not, they don't get time at the giant clubs. You have to take your hat off to how Liverpool have managed him.

"There would have been numerous occasions where he could have gone on loan for 12 months, but they decided it was better for him to stay and continue his education at Liverpool.

"I think he could be a huge player, not only for Liverpool, but also for England. He set up a goal against Leverkusen where he played a through ball. I don't think there's too many players in world football who would see the pass and would play the pass. It was absolutely sensational."

The table-topping Reds could move 11 points of defending champions Manchester City with victory at Anfield on Sunday. And Hamann said: "It's very, very hard to win titles, especially when you’re competing with the wealth of Chelsea, the might of Manchester City and Arsenal being very good for the last couple of years.

"To do what Slot has done, his first season in England, it’s absolutely fantastic. Despite not signing a player other than (Federico) Chiesa, he’s created a lot of competition in the squad by giving players like Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones a bigger role this season.

"Competition for places is vital. If you haven't got competition for places, people know they're going to play, and it won't help their performances. If you look at the Southampton game, (Alexis) Mac Allister didn't start and (Dominik) Szoboszlai has found it hard as well.

"Szoboszlai was compared to Steven Gerrard last season after 10 games. He's not been a regular because the team has been doing so well. So, there's competition for places, even though they didn't bring anyone in other than Chiesa."

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